STEVE Roberts could have played his last game for High and Mighty Coventry Blaze, and the club is already lining up a potential replacement.

Fed up with being messed around by Newcastle Jesters, Roberts has told coach Paul Thompson that he is not in the right frame of mind to ice this weekend.

Any offer the Blaze are able to make is unlikely to match what he could earn elsewhere, and the Canadian looks set to end his brief association with the club since arriving as a replacement for Andrew McNiven.

Thompson is instead thinking about signing Jordan Shields, who was sacked earlier this week by Peterborough Pirates.

Shields has been castigated for more form in front of goal, but there are rumours of a mutiny among some the Pirates players at coach Doug McEwen's style.

Thompson said he is unconcerned by stories of Shields' demise.

"Last season he was the forth best scorer in the league. I'm taking the option to look at him over the weekend. I know what he's like and I know what he did last season.

"I'm glad Roberts has told me that he doesn't want to play - I'd rather him tell me that and have someone new come in that's hungry to play."

Meanwhile several players have been told to put up or get out in a series of one-to-one meetings with Thompson this week as he tries to lift their confidence and get them back to form.

"We're in a very strong position in the league and there's no panic, but certain players aren't bearing down. Everyone knows the consequences if they don't perform.

"It's my job to get their confidence up as hockey is a game that is won and lost on mistakes. Sometimes if you're worried about making mistakes you make even more of them.

"I'm behind everybody and I'm positive. But I need guys who are performing at a consistent level."

James Pease returns to the side for this weekend's double header against Cardiff, and youngster Russell Cowley is expected to make his debut on Sunday.

But Michael Knights, injured last week against Guildford, is very doubtful, as he is only just able to put weight on the leg that took the force of a slap shot.

Cardiff, who are on the verge of being taken over for the third time since the summer, will not be a pushover, Thompson warned: "They're a team similar to Edinburgh. You've got to be on your game to beat them."